SEISMIC HAZARD MAPS IN TERMS OF SPECTRAL

ACCELERATION AT PERIODS OF 0.2 SEC AND 1 SEC FOR THE

DESIGN RESPONSE SPECTRUM (TWO-POINT METHOD)
IN THE NEW VERSION OF THE ISRAEL BUILDING CODE (SI 413)

November, 2009

Report No. 522/474/09

Dr. Yuli Zaslavsky1, Dr. Michael Rabinovich2, Nahum Perelman1, and

Veronic Avirav1

1
2

The Geophysical Institute of Israel

TWIN Design and Consulting

Prepared for
The National Steering Committee for Earthquake Preparedness

Content
List of figures

List of tables

Abstract

Introduction

Basic concept for probabilistic seismic hazard analysis

Computation

10

Design response spectrum, construction using

Two-Points Method

15

Comparison design response spectra obtained by

different approaches

21

About of soil parameters for ground response characterization

26

Discussion and conclusions

29

Acknowledgements

32

References

33

List of figures
Figure 1. Comparison curves of peak acceleration versus distance for magnitude MW = 6.3 as
given by Ambraseys et al. (2005), Boore et al. (1997) and Bommer et al. (2007)
presented by the black, blue and red, lines, respectively.
Figure 2. Hazard map of Israel in terms of earthquake response spectral acceleration in g, for 475
years return period and damping ratio of 5% computed for periods: a) 0.2 sec; and b) 1
sec.
Figure 3. Comparison between ratios of response spectral accelerations at short periods
(S s = 0.2 sec) versus PGA for: a) USA; b) Israel.
Figure 4. Comparison between ratios response spectral accelerations at short periods (S 1 = 1
sec) versus PGA for: a) USA; b) Israel.
Figure 5. Hazard map of USA in terms of peak ground acceleration PGAfor 475 years
return period. The black color indicates area of coincidence for a) Ss/PGA
ratio and b) S1/PGA ratio between USA and Israel.
Figure 6. Hazard map of Canada. The blue and orange colors indicate area of
coincidence for: a) Ss/PGA ratio and b) Ss/PGA ratio between Canada and
Israel.
Figure 7. Comparison of the design response spectra constructed using two -point
method for different site classes using maps of Ss and S1 (red line) and
according to equation S s =2.5Z and S 1 = 1.25 Z (black dashed line) for Tel-Aviv.
The spectrum according to SI 413 (1995) is included as a reference (blue dashed line).
Figure 8. Comparison of the design response spectra constructed using two -point
method for different site classes using map of Ss and S1 (red line) and
according to equation S s =2.5Z and S 1 = 1.25 Z (black dashed line) for East
Jerusalem. The spectrum according to SI 413 (1995) is included as a reference (blue
dashed line).
Figure 9. Comparison of the design response spectra constructed using two -point
method for different site classes using map of Ss and S1 (red line) and
according to equation S s =2.5Z and S 1 = 1.25 Z (black dashed line) for Haifa. The
spectrum according to SI 413 (1995) is included as a reference (blue dashed line).
Figure 10. Comparison of the design response spectra constructed using two-point
method for different site classes using map of Ss and S1 (red line) and
according to equation S s =2.5Z and S 1 = 1.25 Z (black dashed line) for site to the
north of Sea of Galilee. The spectrum according to SI 413 (1995) is included as a
reference (blue dashed line).
Figure 11. Comparison between acceleration response spectrum obtained by SEEH (black line)
and two point method methods using maps of Ss and S1 (red line) for four areas: a) TelAviv-Jaffa; b) East Jerusalem; c) Haifa; d) To the North of Sea of Galilee.
Figure 12. Comparison between H/V spectral ratio (thick line) and analytical transfer function
(dashed line)for: a) Zones 3; b) Zone 4; c) Zone 5.
Figure 13. Uniform Hazard Site-specific Acceleration Spectra for different zones in Yahud area.
The spectrum according to the new version of Israel Building Code using S s =2.5Z
and S 1 = 1.25 Z, Fa = 1.52 and Fv = 2.09 is included for reference (black dashed line).

3
Figure 14. Curves of Ss/PGA (red) and S1/PGA (green) versus magnitude for different distance.
Shaded area shows values of the range Ss/PGA and S1/PGA for Israel.

List of tables
Table 1. Average values of PGA and associated standard deviations obtained for four zones of
PGA map of Israel using different attenuation relationships in EZFRISK and
SEISRIAK III programs.
Table 2. Comparison of the spectral acceleration for periods 0.2 and 1.0 sec obtained
by different attenuation relationship using EZFRISK and SEISRISKIII
programs for computations
Table 3. Average and standard deviation of ratio of spectral acceleration at short
period (Ss) and 1 second period (S 1 ) versus PGA for different ranges
accordingly maps of Israel.
Table 4. Average and standard deviation of ratio of spectral acceleration at short
period (S s ) and 1 second period (S 1 ) versus PGA for different range PGA
accordingly maps of USA
Table5. Peak ground acceleration, 0.2-second and 1.0-second response spectral
acceleration according to map calculated by program ESFRISK.
Table 6. Geotechnical data and soil column model for site located in the southern Sharon and
Lod valley area (Zone 3, Yehud area)
Table 7. Geotechnical data and soil column model for site located in the southern Sharon and
Lod valley area (Zones 4 and 5, Yehud area).

Abstract
Seismic hazard maps show the distribution of earthquake shaking levels that have a
certain probability of exceedence. These maps were prepared in order to provide for the basic
seismic requirements for the construction of safe buildings and bridges to withstand ground
shaking from strong earthquakes. These maps will be implemented in the next revision of the
updated Israel Building Code (SI 413).
In 2001, the Israel Geological Survey defined the regional seismogenic zones and these
where approved in 2007, with minor changes, by experts from all neighboring countries. All
together 27 seismogenic zones were defined. The seismic parameters associated with each of
the seismogenic zones were defined by the Geophysical Institute of Israel. Those efforts have
led to updating of the requirements in the Israeli Code 413 in terms of Peak Ground
Acceleration, (PGA), for a probability of exceedence of 10% in 50 years (or return period of
475 years) for sites of generic rock with Vs=620 m/s.
In the process of updating SI 413, the new seismic requirements are based on
earthquake response spectral acceleration at two specific periods short (T = 0.2 sec) and long
(T = 1 sec) - that have a probability of 10% of being exceeded in an exposure time of 50 years
(475 years return period) and damping ratio of 5%. The assessment of the new hazard
parameters is also based on using the empirical ground motion attenuation equations developed
by Boore et al. (1997). The commercial program EZFRISK is used for computing peak ground
acceleration and Spectral Acceleration (SA) under the assumption that earthquake occurrence,
following the Gutenberg-Richter relationship, is time-independent and that the foci of
earthquakes are uniformly distributed in each seismogenic zone.
o

The computations that were made for a rectangle are bounded by latitudes 29.5 N and
o

33.5 N, and longitudes 34 E and 36 E on a grid in steps of 0.02 degrees (about 2.2 km) and
then contoured The 475 year hazard maps are computed for periods 0.2 sec (S s ) and 1 sec (S 1 )
affected by values in the ranges 0.1g to 0.55g and 0.025g to 0.125g, respectively. Our results
comply with the fact that that the seismicity of the region is relatively low and can be explained
by very long return period (hundreds and thousands years) of strong earthquakes.

1. Introduction
The primary objective of all current seismic codes is to prevent collapse of the structure at
the occurrence of a strong earthquake. The codes recognize that it is uneconomical to design a
construction to behave elastically during strong shaking, and therefore it allows some degree of
damage to occur.
The severity of vibratory structural response to seismic motion largely depends on the
seismic ground motion characteristics and the structure's dynamic characteristics. One of the
most important characteristic is the frequency content of the ground motion. The ground motion
frequency content can be generally described as a measure of relative predominance of different
frequencies present in the ground motion. In the Recommendation for Shape of Earthquake
Response Spectra (Blume and Associates Engineers, 1973) on the basis of a number of
significant records (accelerograms) of major earthquakes that occurred during 1934-1966
provided a "standardized" design spectrum shape to be used in the seismic design of nuclear
power plant facilities in the US concept SA. Since earthquakes are complex phenomena and since
it is not possible to exactly predict the nature of seismic ground motions, statistical analyses of
recorded ground motion were used.
Using the seismic risk principles of Cornell (1968), Algermissen and Perkins (1976,
1978) developed isoseismic maps for horizontal peak ground acceleration (PGA) and velocities
on rock having a 90% probability of not being exceeded in 50 years. These maps had been used
for design response spectrums performed in American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Bridge Design Specification 13th edition (1983). The same
approach utilized in AASHTO current version (AASHTO 17th, 2002). In most engineering
applications PGA is used for re-normalizing the "standardized" design response spectrum. The
Applied Technology Council (ATC, 1978) used this map to develop similar maps for effective
peak acceleration Aa and effective peak velocity Av - related acceleration. These parameters based
on a study by McGuire (1975). The Aa and Av maps developed from the ATC study are in many
ways similar to the Algermissen-Perkins map. The most significant difference is in the area of
highest seismicity in California. Within such areas, the Algermissen-Perkins map has contours of
0.6g whereas the ATC maps have no values greater than 0.4g. This discrepancy is due to the
difference between peak acceleration and effective peak acceleration and also to the decision by

6
the participants in the ATC study to limit the design value to 0.4g based on scientific knowledge
and engineering judgment. The ATC maps were also provided with the contour lines shifted to
coincide with the county boundaries.
In Israel estimations of the apparent annual probability of exceeding peak ground
acceleration and composition potential earthquake risk maps for a reference peak acceleration of
0.1g, 0.2g, 0.3g and 0.4g were performed (Shapira, 1981). Seismic hazard map in terms of PGA
for 10% probability during an exposure time of 50 years (return period 475 years) for the first
time was computed by Shapira, 1987 (personal communication) for the updated Israel Seismic
Code (SI 413) and then confirmed by Arieh and Rabinowitz, (1989). However, after more than
10 years of continuous monitoring of the local seismicity by the Israeli Seismic Network (ISN),
the need to update the PGA map was evident. The PGA values predicted by the attenuation
curves of Joyner and Boore (1981), which were used in the calculation of the seismic hazard
map, were significantly lower than those that obtained from accelerograms of the Gulf of Aqaba
earthquake. Map update process began in 1998 and included the following steps: selection of
equation of ground motion estimation; update the catalog of earthquakes in Israel and the
neighborhood for recent 2000 years (Amrat et al., 2001), identification of the seismogenic zones
in the region (Shamir et al., 2001) according to tectonic, geophysical, geological and
seismological data; determination seismicity parameters of the seismic zones (Shapira and
Hofstetter, 2001). On the basis of these data in 2001 new seismic hazard map for the return
period of 475 years was constructed (Shapira, 2002). In 2005, by request of Israel National Roads
Company (MATZ), the Seismology Division prepared three new seismic hazard maps for the
return periods of 125, 975 and 2475 years (Perelman et al., 2005). Those maps were computed
for generic rock with grid 0.02 degree (2.2 km).
The 1991 Recommended Provisions for Seismic Regulations for New Buildings of the US
National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP) introduced preliminary spectral
response acceleration maps developed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) for a
probability of exceedance 10% in 50 years and 250 years (return period 2,375 years). These
maps, which include elastic spectral response accelerations corresponding to 0.3 and 1.0 sec
periods, were introduced to present new and relevant data for estimating spectral response
accelerations and reflect the variability in the attenuation of spectral acceleration and in fault
rupture length (Two-Points Method).

7
In 1993, the USGS embarked on a major project to prepare updated national earthquake
ground motion maps. The result of that project was a set of probabilistic maps published in 1996
(Frankel et al., 1996) that cover several rock ground motion parameters for of 10%, 5% and 2%
probabilities during an exposure time of 50 years.
The 1997 NEHRP recommended provisions provide seismic maps for the spectral
response accelerations at the short period range (approximately 0.2 sec) and 1.0 sec. The maps
correspond to the maximum considered earthquake, defined as the maximum level of earthquake
ground shaking that is considered reasonable for design of structures. In most regions of the
United States, the maximum considered earthquake is defined with a uniform probability of
exceeding 2% in 50 years (return period 2475 years). It should be noted that the use of the
maximum considered earthquake was adopted to provide a uniform protection against collapse at
the design ground motion. While the conventional approach in earlier editions of the provisions
provided for a uniform probability that the design ground motion will not be exceeded, it did not
provide a uniform probability of failure for structures designed for that ground motion.
The 1997 NEHRP Guidelines for the Seismic Rehabilitation of Buildings known as
FEMA-273, introduce the concept of performance-based design. For this concept, the
rehabilitation objectives are statements of the desired building performance level (collapse
prevention, life safety, immediate occupancy, and operational) when the building is subjected to a
specified level of ground motion. Therefore, multiple levels of ground shaking need to be defined
by the designer. FEMA-273 provides two sets of maps (Two-Points Method), where each set
includes the spectral response accelerations at short periods (0.2 sec) and at long periods (1.0
sec). One set corresponds to a 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years, known as Basic Safety
Earthquake 1 (BSE-1), and the other set corresponds to a 2% probability of exceedance in 50
years, known as Basic Safety Earthquake 2 (BSE-2). The Basic Safety Objective is met when a
building can satisfy two criteria: (1) the Life Safety Building Performance Level, which is the
combination of the Structural and Nonstructural Life Safety Performance Levels, for the Basic
Safety Earthquake 1 (BSE-1), and (2) the Collapse Prevention Performance Level, which only
pertains to structural performance, for the stronger shaking that occurs less frequently as defined
in the Basic Safety Earthquake 2 (BSE-2).
Now, the new version of Israel Standard (SI 413) intends to apply the same Two-Point
Method. Therefore, the major objective of this study was to compute Uniform Seismic Hazard

8
Maps for periods of 0.2 and 1 second for 10% probability during an exposure time of 50 years
and damping ratio of 5%. These maps are computed under the condition that all sites are
composed of generic rock (Vs=620 m/s).

2. Basic concept for probabilistic seismic hazard analysis

The methodology used in most probabilistic seismic hazard analysis was first defined by
Cornell (1968) and included the following steps whose are carried out in the preparation of new
seismic hazard map in terms of peak ground acceleration for the return period 475 years (Shapira,
2002):

Selection of equation of ground motion estimation.

Update the catalog of earthquakes in Israel and the neighborhood for the last
2000 years (Amrat et al.,2001).

Identification of the seismogenic zones in the region (Shamir et al., 2001),

according to tectonic, geophysical, geological and seismological data.

Determination seismicity parameters of the defined seismogenic zones (Shapira

and Hofstetter, 2001).

The model for the prediction of the expected ground motion is an essential element of any
seismic hazard assessment and has a strong influence on the hazard result. The limited strong
motion data in Israel do not allow developing ground motion attenuation relationships. Therefore,
we select three equations for estimation of PGA and spectral acceleration.
Boore et al. (1997) presented equations to predict horizontal response spectra:

ln Y b1 b2 M 6 b3 M 6 b5 ln r bv ln Vs / VA
2

(1)

where r (r jb2 h 2 )1 / 2 . In this equation

Y = peak ground motion measure (peak horizontal acceleration or pseudo acceleration response
in response spectra in g) for the random horizontal component at 5% damping;
M= moment magnitude;
r = closest distance from the surface of the ruptured fault to the station in km.

9
rjb = closest horizontal distance from the rupture at the surface to the station in km.
VS = average shear-wave velocity (m/s) to a depth of 30 m
b1 = parameter related to fault mechanism:
b1 = b1SS for strike-slip earthquakes; b12 = b1RS for reverse-slip earthquake; b1 = b1

ALL

if

mechanism is not specified;

b1SS, b1RS, b1ALL, b2, b3, b5, bV, VA and h are regression coefficients provided in tabular form.
The coefficients in the equations for predicting ground motion are based on the selected 213
strong earthquakes from western North America with Mw5.0 and r 20km and were determine
using a weighted, two stage regression procedure and allow estimating response spectra in the
period range from 0.0 sec to 2.0 sec.
From data set which consists of 595 strong motion records (magnitudes MW5) caused by
shallow crustal earthquakes with magnitudes 5 recorded in Europe and Middle East,
Ambraseys et al. (2005) obtained the equation:

ln y a1 a 2 M w a3 a 4 M w ln d 2 a5

2 1/ 2

a 6 S S a7 S A a8 FN a9 FT a10 F0

(2)

where y is the acceleration response spectra for 5% damping (in cm/sec2), SS = 1 for soft soil site
and 0 otherwise, SA = 1 for stiff soil sites and 0 otherwise, FN = 1 for normal faulting earthquakes
and 0 otherwise and F0 = 1 for odd faulting earthquakes and 0 otherwise. The set of ten
coefficients of this equation {a1 - a10} are regression coefficients provided in tabular form. This
equation also allows assessing response spectra at period from 0.0 sec to 2.5 sec
Bummer et al. (2007) presented equation for the prediction of acceleration spectral
ordinates as:
log 10[ PSA(T )] b1 b2 Mw b3 Mw 2 (b4 b5 ) log 10[r ] f (S , F )

(3)

where f(S, F) b7SS b8SA b9FN b10FR and r ( R 2jb b6 )1 / 2 in which PSA(T) is geometric
2

mean of two horizontal components of 5%-damped pseudo-spectral-acceleration in cm/sec2 (and

T is the period in sec); Rjb is the Joyner-Boore distance in km; SS and SA are dummy variables
taking values of 1 for soft soil (Vs30 < 360 m/s) and stiff soil (360 m/s < Vs30 < 750 m/s)

10
respectively, and zero otherwise; FN and FR are similar variables taking a value of unity for
normal and reverse faulting events respectively, and 0 otherwise. The set of ten coefficients of
this equation {b1 - b10} are regression coefficients provided in tabular form. This equation allows
predicting of response spectral ordinates at periods from 0.0 to 0.5 sec.

3. Computation
Hazard map for Israel in terms of peak ground acceleration for return period of 475
years shows contours of PGA in the range of 0.075-0.3 g. (the minimum required acceleration is
assigned 0.075g irrespective of the computed value). Using the map we have selected four zones
changes of PGA (0.075-0.1g, 0125-0.15g, 0.175-0.2g and 0.275-0.3g) and divided each zone to
equal 52 segments along meridian. Thereafter, in each segment, one point is randomly selected
and for its coordinates we calculate the PGA according to Equations 1, 2 and 3. In finale, for each
zone we compute arithmetic average value PGA and associated standard deviation which are
reported in Table 1. A few points are worth noting. First, for Boore et al. (1997) relationship we
use two programs for hazard computation: EZFRISK (Risk Engineering Inc., 1995) and
SEISRISKIII (Bender and Perkins, 1987) and obtain good coincidence of results. The second
point is the discrepancy of peak acceleration estimated from different curves. Figure 1 shows
prediction of PGA ordinates for different curves of peak acceleration versus distances for MW =
6.3. We can see that application of Ambraseys et al. (2005) curve at near-source distance up to 20
km significantly exceeds assessment of PGA predicted by Boore et al. (1997) and Bommer et al.
(2007) relationships. Moreover, the distance-dependent decay effect in Boore et al. (1997) is
significantly smaller than those of Ambraseys et al. (2005) and Bommer et al. (2007). For Israel
this is very important because many population centers are located in a distance range of 30-70
km from the seismically active Dead Sea Fault system.

11
Table 1. Average values of PGA and associated standard deviations obtained for four zones of
PGA map of Israel using different attenuation relationships and the two programs EZFRISK and
SEISRIAK III.

Interval PGA
of different
zones
g
0.075 - 0.100
0.125 - 0.150
0.175 - 0.200
0.275 - 0.300

Type of attenuation relationship

Ambraseys et al.,
Boore et al., 1997
2005
EZFRISK

SEISRISKIII

Bummer et al.,
2007

SEISRISKIII

Average

Average

Average

Average

0.089
0.138
0.186
0.284

0.007
0.006
0.007
0.005

0.102
0.148
0.199
0.291

0.007
0.01
0.011
0.026

0.063
0.125
0.217
0.374

0.014
0.022
0.017
0.041

0.051
0.09
0.135
0.236

0.006
0.008
0.008
0.022

Table 2 presents the spectral accelerations Ss for period 0.2 and S1 for period 1.0 sec are
obtained using the attenuation relationships and the EZFRISK and SEISRIAKIII programs for
four sites. Analysis of these data shows that application of Ambraseys et al. (2005) attenuation
relationship significantly exceeds response spectra at 1.0 sec compared with values obtained by
Boore et al. (1997). At short period (0.2 sec) predicted values spectral acceleration by Bommer et
al. (2007) are always lower than values of Boore et al. (1997).
The small difference between results of computation PGA and spectral acceleration by
two programs EZFRISK and SEISRISKIII with the some attenuation equation by Boore et al.
(1997) can be explained by distinction in format of input data of these programs. In EZFRISK the
attenuation equation of Boore et al. (1997) is embedded, and the user must adjust the coefficients
of this equation in the input file. In SEISRISKIII some attenuation equation represent as
rectangle matrix that containing tabular values of mean peak acceleration (or other ground motion
parameters) at respectively lists of distances and magnitudes. In addition, a distinction exists in
the format input data of area sources (seismogenic zones): in EZFRISK the user can characterize
the area sources by polygon in horizontal plane while in SEISRISKIII source area is define as a
set which contains one or more subregions each must be defined as quadrangle.

12

Figure 1. Comparison curves of peak acceleration versus distance for magnitude MW = 6.3 as
given by Ambraseys et al. (2005), Boore et al. (1997) and Bommer et al. (2007)
presented by the black, blue and red, lines, respectively.

13
Table 2. Comparison of the spectral acceleration for periods 0.2 and 1.0 sec obtained by different
attenuation relationship using EZFRISK and SEISRISKIII programs for computations.
BJF represents Boore et al. (1997); AM represents Ambraseys et al. (2005); and BO
represents Bommer (2007).

No.

Area

Equation
Attenuation

SS

S1

EZFRISK

0.321

0.083

AM

SEISRISK III
SEISRISK III

0.336
0.365

0.089
0.262

BO

SEISRISK III

0.260

EZFRISK

0.556

0.143

AM

SEISRISK III
SEISRISK III

0.578
0.621

0.150
0.459

BO

SEISRISK III

0.505

EZFRISK

0.242

0.064

AM

SEISRISK III
SEISRISK III

0.259
0.193

0.070
0.150

BO

SEISRISK III

0.197

EZFRISK
SEISRISK III
SEISRISK III
SEISRISK III

0.428
0.436
0.470
0.360

0.105
0.109
0.342

BJF
1

Haifa

BJF
2

North of Sea of
Galilee

BJF97
3

Jerusalem

BJF
4

Eilat

Program

Spectral acceleration
g

AM
BO

So, for the sake of consistency, Boore et al. (1997) equation that was used for computation
Hazard Map of Israel in terms of Peak Ground Acceleration (Shapira, 2002; Perelman et al.,
2005) was used also for computation of Uniform Seismic Hazard Map in terms of spectral
acceleration for periods 0.2 sec and 1 sec with 5% damping and 475 years return period. Hazard
computations using EZFRISK (Risk Engineering Inc., 1995) have been performed for the area
stretching from 29.5N to 33.5N, and longitudes 34.0E to 36.0E, using an approximately 0.02
x 0.02 regular grid interval (around 2.2 km) with a total number of 20301 computation nodes.
Figure 2 shows maps of spectral accelerations for 0.2 and 1.0 sec in g units.
Two absolute maxima with elongated shape exist in the two maps, north of the Sea of
Galilee, and around the Gulf of Aqaba. These most hazardous areas reflect active segments in the

14
Dead Sea Fault system, to the north of the Sea of Galilee and around the Gulf of Aqaba. Maximum
spectral acceleration values at 0.2 s and 1.0 s are in the range of 0.55- 0.6 g and 0.14-0.15 g,
respectively that is smaller than in USA.

Figure 2. Hazard map of Israel in terms of earthquake response spectral acceleration in g, for 475
years return period and damping ratio of 5% computed for periods (a) 0.2 sec and (b) 1
sec.

15

4. Design response spectrum, construction using Two-Point

Method
The 1997 National Earthquake Hazard Reduction (NEHRP 1997, Washington)
provides two maps for response spectral accelerations at short periods S s at 0.2 sec and S 1 at 1.0
sec and proposed design response spectrum construction using the Two-Point Method. The
principal parameters of this method are SDS and SD1 which are defined as:

SDS = F a S s

SD1 = FvS 1

(4)

where F a and Fv are the site coefficients described in NEHRP 1997. The values Ss and S1 may
be obtained from the national ground maps defined by NEHRP (1997) or from CD-ROM
published by the U.S. Geological Survey. In addition, for design response spectra construction
the NEHRP 1997 allows application of the following equations:

SDS = F a * 2.5Z

SD1 = Fv* Z

(5)

where Z is peak ground acceleration (PGA). For rock with shear wave velocity 760 m/s < VS
1500 F a = Fv = 1.0. Consequently, Equation 5 can be presented as:

SDS = S s = 2.5Z

SD1 = S 1 = Z

(6)

According to the new version of Design provision for earthquake resistances of structures
(Israel Standard, SI 413), it is also proposed to use the Two-Point Method. However, before the
maps of Ss and S1 would be published The Standards Institution of Israel recommends using the
following equations:

SDS = S s = 2.5 Z

SD1 = S 1 = 1.25 Z

(7)

As a matter of fact our estimates of S s and S 1 , are essentially lower than in USA and
than those presented in Eq. (7). We assumed that the reason for the discrepancy is
different PGA in Israel and USA. Therefore, we normalize response spectral acceleration
at 0.2 sec period (S s ) and 1.0 sec period (S 1 ) with values of PGA taken from the PGA maps for
Israel and USA with 10% probability during an exposure time of 50 years. Calculations were
carried out in the PGA range 0.06 0.35 g which characterizes map of PGA for Israel. As noted

16
above the total number of computation nodes for Israel was 20,301 while for USA the total
number of computation nodes was 99,718.
Figures 3 and 4 show S s /PGA and S 1 /PGA ratios for USA and Israel split into ranges
according the PGA map of USA. A number of interesting observations can be made that are
equally applicable to these figures. The main and most important observation is that the USA
data vary significantly compared to the Israel one, so that for USA 1.6S s /PGA2.7 and
0.4S 1 /PGA1.4, while in Israel one gets 1.4S s /PGA2.0 and 0.4S 1 /PGA0.6. However, we
should note that for each interval of PGA in Figures 2 and 3 in USA there are areas where
S s /PGA and S 1 /PGA are identical to those in Israel.
Tables 3 and 4 show the averages and standard deviations of ratios of spectral
acceleration at short period (S s ) and 1 second (S 1 ) versus PGA for different ranges
computed for USA and Israel. In accordance with these tables the average for USA is:
Ss/PGA=2.30.187 and S1/PGA=0.7010.140.
And for Israel we get the following assessment:
Ss/PGA=1.7800.177 and S1/PGA=0.4920.023.
We used the hazard map of USA in terms of peak ground acceleration for 475
years return period (Figure 5a,b) and marked areas where there the ratios of Ss/PGA and
S1/PGA for USA are similar to those in Israel. At the next stage of our research we used
seismic hazard map of Canada (2005 National Building Code) in terms PGA, Ss and S1 and have
implemented the above described calculations. As demonstrated in Figure 5, for a large part of
the territory of Canada the level Ss/PGA and S1/PGA coincide with values derived for Israel.
Following the above analysis we are confident that the levels Ss and S1 obtained for
Israel are correct and reflect the seismic regime in Israel.

17
a

Range of PGA, [g]:

0.06 - 0.08

0.08 - 0.10

0.10 - 0.12

0.12- 0.16

0.16 - 0.21

0.21 - 0.27

0.27 - 0.35

Figure 3. Comparison between ratios of response spectral accelerations at short period (S s =

0.2 sec) versus PGA for: a) USA; b) Israel.

18
a

Range of PGA, [g]:

0.06 - 0.08

0.08 - 0.10

0.10 - 0.12

0.12- 0.16

0.16 - 0.21

0.21 - 0.27

0.27 - 0.35

Figure 4. Comparison between ratios of response spectral accelerations at short period (S 1 =

1 sec) versus PGA for: a) USA; b) Israel.

19
Table 3. Average and standard deviation of ratio of spectral acceleration at short
period (S s ) and 1 second period (S 1 ) versus PGA for different ranges accordingly
maps of Israel.
PGA interval

g
0.06 - 0.08
0.08 - 0.10
0.10 - 0.12
0.12 - 0.16
0.16 - 0.21
0.21 - 0.27
0.27 - 0.35

Numberof
Selected
Points
2593
2939
4200
4668
3282
2201
354

Total Average

Ss/PGA

S1/PGA

Average

Average

1.699
1.694
1.688
1.781
1.796
1.876
1.927

0.046
0.093
0.101
0.106
0.114
0.760
0.020

0.580
0.515
0.484
0.467
0.446
0.463
0.490

0.022
0.026
0.025
0.033
0.030
0.022
0.004

1.780

0.177

0.492

0.023

Table 4. Average and standard deviation of ratio of spectral acceleration at short

period (S s ) and 1 second period (S 1 ) versus PGA for different range PGA
accordingly maps of USA.
PGA interval

g
0.06 - 0.08
0.08 - 0.10
0.10 - 0.12
0.12 - 0.16
0.16 - 0.21
0.21 - 0.27
0.27 - 0.35

Number of
Selected
Points
27217
16083
13085
16392
13634
8902
4405

Total Average

Ss/PGA

S1/PGA

Average

Average

2.293
2.299
2.306
2.323
2.300
2.295
2.269

0.176
0.193
0.196
0.177
0.179
0.174
0.214

0.701
0.706
0.700
0.688
0.711
0.704
0.694

0.138
0.163
0.156
0.134
0.133
0.118
0.136

2.298

0.187

0.701

0.140

20

a
Canada

b
Canada

Mexico

Figure 5. Hazard map of USA in terms of peak ground acceleration PGAfor 475 years
return period. The black color indicates area of coincidence for a) Ss/PGA ratio and b)
S1/PGA ratio between USA and Israel.

21

Figure 6. Map of Canada. The blue and orange colors indicate areas of coincidence
for: a) Ss/PGA ratio and b) Ss/PGA ratio between Canada and Israel.

5. Comparison of design response spectra obtained by

different approaches
We chose four sites with different PGA (Table 5) and calculated the design
response spectra using maps of Ss and S 1 and according to the equations S s =2.5Z and S 1

22
= 1.25 Z (Amendment No. 3 of SI 413) when such information is not available. The results of
calculations are represented in Figures 7-10, along with the spectrum according to SI 413 (1995)
as a reference.

Table5. Peak ground acceleration, 0.2-second and 1.0-second response spectral

acceleration according to map calculated by program ESFRISK.

Number

Area

Tel-Aviv-Jaffa

Spectral Acceleration
[g]
Ss
S1
PGA
(0.2 sec)
(1.0 sec)
0.091
0.161
0.05

East Jerusalem

0.132

0.242

0.064

Haifa

0.185

0.321

0.083

To the North of Sea of Galilee

0.292

0.556

0.143

Figure 7. Comparison of the design response spectra constructed using two-point

method for different site classes using maps of Ss and S1 (red line) and
S s =2.5Z and S 1 = 1.25 Z (black dashed line) for Tel-Aviv. The spectrum of SI 413
(1995) is included as a reference (blue dashed line).

23

Figure 8. Comparison of the design response spectra constructed using two-point

method for different site classes using maps of Ss and S1 (red line) and
S s =2.5Z and S 1 = 1.25 Z (black dashed line) for East Jerusalem. The spectrum
according to SI 413 (1995) is included as a reference (blue dashed line).

Figure 9. Comparison of the design response spectra constructed using Two-Points

Method for different site classes using maps of Ss and S1 (red line) and
S s =2.5Z and S 1 = 1.25 Z (black dashed line) for Haifa. The spectrum according to
SI 413 (1995) is included as a reference (blue dashed line).

Response Spectral Acceleration, g

Response Spectral Acceleration, g

24

Figure 10. Comparison of the design response spectra constructed using Two-Point
Method for different site classes using maps of Ss and S1 (red line) and S s =2.5Z
and S 1 = 1.25 Z (black dashed line) for site north of the Sea of Galilee. The spectrum
of SI 413 (1995) is included as a reference (blue dashed line).
If we look at the spectra, we can see that level of all response spectra
obtained using maps of Ss and S1 substantially below not only of spectra constructed by
recommendation of Amendment No. 3 of SI 413 (September 2009) but also spectra published in
SI 413 (1995).
In a series of previous studies (see for example Zaslavsky et al., 2005; 2008a,b; 2009)
we successfully applied the procedure developed by Shapira and van Eck (1993) to assess the site
specific uniform hazard acceleration response. That procedure which we term SEEH (Stochastic
Estimation of the Earthquake Hazard) is based on the stochastic method developed and used by
Boore (1983), Boore and Atkinson (1987), Boore and Joyner (1991) among others. In brief, the
SEEH process starts by performing Monte Carlo simulations of the expected seismic activity in
seismogenic zones that may affect the study area. The seismicity and other regional parameters
that characterize earthquake hazards in Israel are presented and discussed by e.g. Shapira and van
Eck (1993), Shapira and Hofstetter (1993), Hofstetter et al. (1996), Shapira (2002), Sellami et al.
(2003), Begin (2005) and Begin et al. (2005). These studies were used to specify the seismogenic
zones affecting the region and their seismicity in the form of frequency-magnitude relationships.

25
Considering the uncertainty in estimating the frequency of occurrence, we generate several
possible earthquake catalogues (artificial catalogues) for a long time span (thousands of years).
These simulations are followed by synthesizing S wave ground motions at the investigated site
from each of the earthquakes in the artificial catalogues using the stochastic method (e.g. Boore
1983, 2000). The site response due to the propagating waves from the base-rock to the site's
surface are computed given the properties and structure of the subsurface at the analysed site.
These wealth of synthetic free surface motions, representing what may happen in a long time
span are used to compute the corresponding acceleration response spectra for a 5% damping
ratio. In the final stage of SEEH all generated response spectra are assembled for estimating the
spectral accelerations which correspond to a prescribed probability of exceedance and yield the
uniform hazard, site specific acceleration response spectrum.
The SEEH approach has been applied to predict the acceleration response
spectrum for areas presented in Table 5. Figure 11 shows the response spectrum
obtained by the SEEH method and by the Two-Point Method using maps of Ss and S1.
It is very important that two different methods, base on physical parameters of seismicity
of Israel, show a good agreement above 0.5 sec. For periods greater than 0.5 sec there is
disagreement between two curves because the change of amplitude of spectral
accelerations obtained by the Two-Point Method is arbitrary as 1/T, where T is the
period of vibration (sec).

26

Figure 11. Comparison between acceleration response spectrum obtained by SEEH (black line)
the Two-Point Method using maps of Ss and S1 (red line) for four areas: a) Tel-AvivJaffa; b) East Jerusalem; c) Haifa; d) North of the Sea of Galilee.

6. About of soil parameters for ground response characterization

The average shear wave velocity of the top 30 m of a soil profile (Vs,30) represents an usual
parameter to classify soils in different categories in most National Building Codes (e.g. Italy,
Israel, Switzerland, Eurocode-8, NEHRP, Canada, Japan, Uniform Building Code, IBC 97, ICC
2003 and many other). As shown in several studies (e.g. Borcherdt, 1994; Dobry et al., 2000;
Parolai et al., 2001; Pitilakis et al., 2006; Mucciarelli and Gallipoli, 2006; Zaslavsky et al., 2009),
soil classifications that account only for Vs,30 might lack precise definition of site classes and lead
to erroneous evaluation of the ground amplification level, mainly in cases of deep soil deposits
(deeper than 30 m) and abrupt stiffness changes (high seismic impedance contrast) between the
bedrock and the overlying soil formations. Furthermore, the definition of the site effects by

27
means of soil classes which are assigned according to a sample parameter, such as Vs,30, is a
source of variability of ground motion amplitude in attenuation relationships used for seismic
hazard analysis. This is an acute problem for Israel. According to project "Microzoning of the
earthquake hazard in Israel" (for example see Zaslavsky et al., 2003, 2006, 2007) most of
population centers are built on young sediments with impedance contrast 4-8. The soil
classification need more accurate description of soil types through fundamental frequency and
amplification of soil column which was constructed by observing H/V spectral ratio of ambient
noise along with geological and geophysical information.
The horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio for these zones shows resonance frequencies of
0.8-1.7 Hz and H/V ratios from 4.5 to 7.0 (see Figure 12). Using as a benchmark the S-wave
velocity structure obtained in Petah Tikva (Zaslavsky et al., 2006), we compared observed H/V
spectra and computed site response functions for sites in southern Sharon and Lod valley using
many borehole data and four refraction lines. Geotechnical data and soil column models for three
zones in the town Yehud are summarized in Tables 6 and 7. Comparison between H/V spectral
ratio with the analytical transfer functions of the soil column are presented in Figure 13. The site
response functions are calculated using the program SHAKE (Schnabel et al., 1972). We can see
very good agreement between the two functions.

Figure 12. Comparison between H/V spectral ratio (thick line) and analytical transfer function
(dashed line) for: a) Zone 3; b) Zone 4; c) Zone 5.

28

Table 6. Geotechnical data and soil column model for site located in the southern Sharon and
Lod valley area (Zone 3, Yehud area)
Zone 3
Vs,
Density
m/sec
g/cm3

Lithology

Thickness,
m

Silt, loamy sand

70

270

1.6

Marine clay

60

700

1.9

Marl and chalk

90

945

Chalky limestone

150

1200

Dolomite

1900

2.4

Damping
%

Table 7. Geotechnical data and soil column model for site located in the southern Sharon and
Lod valley area (Zones 4 and 5, Yehud area).

Lithology

Zone 4
Thickness
Vs
Dens.
m
m/sec
g/cm3

Damp.
(%)

Thickness
m

Zone 5
Vs,
Dens.
m/sec
g/cm3

Damp.
%

Silt, loamy
sand

40

200

1.6

25

230

1.6

Conglomerate

17

540

1.8

12

490

1.8

15

700

1.9

20

710

1.9

75

940

35

920

65

1130

60

1150

1900

2.4

1900

2.4

Calcareous
sandstone
Marl and
chalk
Chalky
limestone
Dolomite

The subsurface models serve as input for computing acceleration response spectrum by
SEEH method. The results of our computations are sown in Figure 13. The uniform hazard site
specific response spectra for the three zones were computed for probability of exceedence of 10%

29
during an exposure of 50 years and damping ratio of 5%. We also plotted the acceleration
response spectrum required in the same area by the Amendment No. 3, September 2009 (see
formulae 5) of SI 413 for site class D. The shape of the spectra obtained for all zones differs
significantly from those prescribed by the new version of SI 413.

Figure 13. Uniform Hazard Site-specific Acceleration Spectra for different zones in Yahud area.
The spectrum according to the new version of Israel Building Code using S s =2.5Z
and S 1 = 1.25 Z, Fa = 1.52 and Fv = 2.09 is included for reference (black dashed line).

7. Discussion and conclusions

Curves of Ss/PGA (red) and S1/PGA (green) versus magnitude for distances 10, 30, 50
and 90 km are depicted in Figure 14. We can see that for 475 years return period values of
Ss/PGA and S1/PGA affected by earthquakes with magnitude from 5.0 to 6.0. According to our
opinion this is the main reason of significant differences in values Ss/PGA and S1/PGA obtained
for Israel and USA.

30

Figure 14. Curves of Ss/PGA (red) and S1/PGA (green) versus magnitude for different distances.
Shaded area shows values of the range Ss/PGA and S1/PGA for Israel.
It should be noted that the Two-Point Method design spectrum is common practice in the
USA, meanwhile other countries codes and some USA codes utilize different approaches. For
example, UBC 1997 provide PGA-related (one-point) design spectrum that used to represent the
dynamic effects of the Design Basis Ground Motion for the design of structures. This response
spectrum may be modified to site-specific spectrum based on geological, seismological and soil
characteristics associated with a specific site. National Building Code of Canada (2005) based on
the Peak Ground Acceleration and spectral response acceleration on the period 0.2 sec, 0.5 sec,
1.0 sec, and 2.0 sec that can be obtained from tabled included in the code. New Zealand's code
utilizes multi-section spectrum. The designer can use for the spectral values estimates detailed
table "spectral shape factor" or calculate exact values by means of equation set.

31
The analysis of mentioned foreign codes leads us to the conclusion that design spectrum
shape and values in each code are adapted to local geological and seismic conditions. Parameters
Ss and S1 calculated for different codes varies and in many cases they are different from proposed
Ss =2.5 and S1 =1.25 in Amendment No. 3 (September2009).
Our conclusions may be summarized as follows:

We checked that spectral accelerations for periods 0.2 and 1.0 sec provided by programs
EZFRISK and SEISRISKIII are in good agreement. However, the results of SEISRISKIII
obtained by using different equations to predict horizontal response spectra might vary
significantly.

Our results confirm that the predicted response spectral accelerations at short periods (0.2
sec) S s and at 1.0 sec S 1 correspond to the relatively low seismicity of Israel.

Israel is vulnerable to strong earthquakes (M 7.0), however, their frequency of

occurrence is low. At the same time, we suppose that S s =2.5Z and S 1 = 1.25Z proposed
in the new version of SI 413 are very conservative values of spectral acceleration.
Therefore, for design response spectrum construction by the Two-Point Method we
suggest using the following values: S s =2.2Z and S 1 = 0.9Z deducted from the current
analysis.

The fundamental frequency of vibration of soil column model and seismic impedance
contrast should be more appropriate than VS,30 for the characterization of the seismic
response and, therefore, should not be disregarded in building code soil classification. In
fact, we are convinced that using NEHRP VS,30 amplification values are inappropriate for
Israel and should be replaced.

Now in Israel intensive construction of high-rise (15-25 storeys) buildings with

fundamental period in the range of 0.8-1.5 sec is carried out. However, we have yet no
experimental information about dynamic characteristics of buildings required to
accurately determine their behavior during earthquakes. Therefore, for the sake of being
on a safe side, we recommend for periods greater than Ts (see the Two-Point Method) to
utilize the 1/T2/3 dependency in building the Response Spectra Acceleration rather than
the 1/T, recommended in Amendment No 3 of SI 413. .

32

8. Acknowledgement
Many thanks are due to Dr. Avi Shapira and Dr. Rami Hofstetter for fruitful discussions
and constructive comments. Special thanks go to Eng. I. Minkin (TWIN Design and Consulting)
who provided useful information about national building codes in different countries. We thank
our colleges H. Dan, Y. Karmon, and Y. Menahem (GII) for their technical support throughout
this report.

33

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(ww.gii.co.il ( ,02/230/592